What the Lyft-Hilton Partnership Says About the Future of Hospitality Rewards

July 31, 2019

Ya-Bing Chu, VP of Product

In an on-demand world, how can hotels keep up with consumers’ desire for immediate, unique experiences?

Hilton may have found a solution. This spring, the hotel giant announced a new rewards partnershipwith Lyft that allows rideshare passengers to earn Hilton Honors points with every ride. By year’s end, Honors points also will be valid currency for Lyft rides.

The partnership is an important one for Hilton as consumers’ preference for peer-to-peer lodging companies like Airbnb grows. Sixty percent of travelers who use both Airbnb and hotels prefer Airbnb over comparable hotels when going on vacation, and 72% of travelers say they plan on staying at an Airbnb within the next 12 months. In order to remain relevant, hotel brands need to get creative and offer data-driven rewards and experiences that peer-to-peer lodging can’t.

Hospitality brands should keep these guidelines in mind as they dip a toe into new reward partnerships.